Sustainability in the Textile Industry

What do we actually mean when we talk about "sustainability"? What kind of understanding of the relationship between society, economy, and the environment is the concept of sustainability based on? What is the idea of a circular economy all about?

These and other questions will be discussed in your course on Sustainability in the Textile Industry. We will look at sustainability issues in the textile industry from a holistic perspective, covering economic, social, and ecological aspects. A particular focus will be set on negative externalities in the value chain of the textiles and how they can be recognized and avoided.

The course comprises frameworks and concepts to consider different approaches towards sustainability, to understand them, and to align them for reaching sustainable solutions. Such competencies are not limited to the textile industry though, as the things we will discuss in class and the skills that you will acquire are applicable to other industrial contexts, too. The ability to balance economic, social, ecological, and cultural aspects of today while taking responsibility for future generations into account is indispensable in every business context. Therefore, this course will help you to prepare for today’s careers across industries.

In the first lecture of the course, I will give an introduction to sustainability issues and a glance at the textile industry. I will cover the questions: (1) Why are we bothered with sustainability (in the textile industry)? (2) What are the industry's special circumstances? (3) What are the Hidden Costs of this industry?

I will approach these questions from a philosophical and applied (case based) perspective.

You will then choose a topic for your video project (60% of the grade), in which you are required to spotlight hidden costs in the textile sector. In an applied case study (pass-or-fail), you will dive deeper into sustainability issues related to your respective video projects.

In addition to these two group grades, you will work on a take-home case individually (40% of the grade).

• Lectures
• Casestudies
• Video project
• Guest lectures